It’s been a while since I’ve written a comprehensive piece of the community projects I’m working on. I have been sharing asks and updates across a variety of media streams– so you may not even be aware of some of these inter-connecting community projects. Here’s what’s going on in my world:

• Food Distribution
• Emergency Community Funding
• In Person Events
• Mentoring and Consulting

Food Distribution

May will mark 3 years of weekly food distribution. In the 33 months of doing this, we’ve likely only missed maybe 5. I work with Black Elder Women on Ridge St in Cville and North Garden. These grandmothers have long and deep connections within their communities. They provide the location, some delivery and the contacting and networking of participants. I do the fundraising, the purchasing, and networking with donors and partners. We order wholesale and from Bellair Farm CSA. Bellair also generously donates produce and meat. Gleaned food is shared from a variety of other sources. Friends share clothes and household goods to be freely distributed. Extra goods and food from Ridge St are shared with communities in Buckingham. W

Over 2.5 years of distribution, we’ve raised and distributed $46,074.79. In 2022, we distributed $13,980.20 of food. We have had 117 donor since we begans. Currently we have a balance of $334.99 or a little more than 1 week of food. The primary mode of ask is through my curated email list. 

Emergency Community Funding

Through food distribution and mentoring, I become aware of financial need within our community. I ask for, and our community supports: money for rent, lawyers, gas bills, cars, car repairs, tuition, real estate taxes, and many other requests. 

I do not track this as closely as the food distribution asks because this is as needed– I am working to get meet an ask, and once it’s met, I move on. This is the sort of help that I have relied on and received within my own family — I want my family and community to be expansive. I would estimate that we raise about $8-10,000 per year in emergency funding. This offering has been made more difficult by not being on Facebook much anymore. The algorithm hides any post that includes any asks for community support. It’s been increasingly difficult to figure out how to share information effectively about individual community need. 

In Person Events

After a hiatus of about 3.5 years, we’ve resumed study group. This was a big offering of Building Experiences, our young adult-centered community support non profit. Each week a group of us gather to work, laugh, and support one another. It’s a pro-Black, pro-Queer, pro-immigrant, pro-introvert, pro-human space– and also not saccharine. It’s a genuine, multi-generational space. 

I also support my partner Raven Mack’s Southern Gothicc Futurism Haiku Slams. He’s got 4 slams planned for March, and I couldn’t be more excited. Raven and I are also curating the “Studio Gallery” at my family property– with art and displays for sale and for show. The vibe is a colorful old country store filled with ephemera. 

Mentoring and Consulting

I spend a great deal of time talking through life challenges with young (and older) people. I often forget how much energy I spend doing this because it’s so integrated into my time. I want to be a barrier-free resource to young people figuring out finances, health, school and jobs. I do this with an anti-racist lens, always– this looks like understanding where they are developmentally, with the further burden of a system that does not want them to succeed. Many of these hours is spent with young people who were BE participants. I’ve known some of these friends for 14+ years. I know their family structures and the context of where they are. I also provide individualized support to white people who want to put their ideals into action and become more involved in supporting community.  

To stay connected

If you are not receiving food distribution updates, let me know if you would like to be on that email list. 

To support emergency community funding

Some people have begun to give monthly community support funding. This is a huge help as it frees me from having to ask– there is always need. 

To support me financially

All of the work I’ve described is freely given. While I have few financial obligations, I do have some. Supporting my patreon is an easy way to contribute monthly to work– and you get writings, pictures of silly animals, and photos of my ongoing art-making. 

Also!! I’m always looking for short term consulting work– I’m good at analyzing, summarizing, writing and presenting, as well as a vast range of other tasks. Keep me in mind if you or others need quick, competent work. 

Giving

Make sure to give between friends. NOT as a service. Make sure to mark it food, or emergency or something clear

Venmo @dollyjoseph (last 4 of phone 2509)

PayPal.me/dollyjoseph

Through an agreement with VO, I can accept tax deductible donations for food distribution gifts.

Give in magnitudes of eggs: 15 dozen = $50, a month of eggs = $300 Venmo @dollyjoseph To give with PayPal, check or for a tax deduction please contact me. 

Christmas week we had a most glorious spending spree of shopping. We bought cases of sweet potatoes, potatoes, green beans, apples, onions, oranges… the fixings for many families to have the celebrations that they wanted. What a joy to be able to share. I am grateful for each of you who makes this work possible. 

Dignity– that’s one of my watchwords. There’s nothing wrong with a food bank– they are a wonderful and friendly community resource, and I’m pretty certain that none of our participants would go. While our participants may not choose to get emergency food, every bit of easing of financial strains means there’s a little more for family, housing, emergencies, or joy…

Eggs at the grocery store can be $5.50 to $7/dozen. Our cheap, accessible protein isn’t as cheap as it used to be. By purchasing wholesale, we paid $3.26/dozen. Of course, our participants don’t pay that at all. A family of 3-4 could easily use 2 dozen eggs per week with breakfast, snacks, and baking. That could be $50/month just on eggs. We are buying 15 dozen eggs per distribution– Ridge St, and North Garden. A case is $50, and we’re spending $300/month just on eggs. 

We’re all in community when we’re in the front yard– whether unloading, shopping, swapping recipes, or discussing what we’ll be making this week. You are part of this community when you support this work. You’re giving health, wellness, and hope. Thank you.